50 Best Chinese Restaurants near La Jolla

“If you’re on the UCSD campus and craving real Chinese food, this place is honestly a gem. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is warm and lively, and the employees make you feel welcome. What really stood out to me is that the owner himself walks around, talks to customers, checks in, and makes sure everyone is having a good time. It feels very welcoming.

And I have to say this, the Oreo boba here is my personal favourite!“

“Best Chinese and Mai Tai's in San Diego or maybe the US“

“An excellent Szechwan Chinese restaurant that prepares authentic dishes with lots of vegetarian options. The portions were good size, freshly prepared with quality ingredients and delicious. The service was excellent and the options for Vegetarians were plenty. The prices were very reasonable and the location is excellent and easy to reach .“

“Our server Cam was awesome and food was great! Got to try it. Great dumplings!!!“

“Taiwanese hot pot, you choose the ingredients and the broth, they promptly cook it for you. If you appreciate deep soup flavors, and love meat, you can eat here for $15-20 per person. Simple atmosphere, basic service. 5 stars because it’s delicious.“

“delicious food! all of it“

“I snapped a quick photo of my bowl right as it hit the table, relying on the app that tracks my macros to find this spot. It pulled up this exact dish when I was in a rush for lunch, and honestly, the portion was legit—plenty of protein and everything I needed to hit my goals. The noodles were cooked perfectly, and those fresh, crunchy cucumber strips added a great texture. The place is super efficient and kept things moving while I grabbed a quick bite.“

“Haidilao is an awesome hot pot place, it’s affordable and totally worth it! I’d recommend the chicken broth. Great experience, would recommend.“

“Absolutely gorgeous inside , definitely one of my new favorite spot now for skewers, been here twice and I’m glad I came , service is great, friendly and attentive, & most importantly food is bomb . Will come again , & again.
Xie Xie :)“

“Part of my wife's order came to the table very late as we were finishing everything else we ordered. The manager however, comped the late arriving order as well as my wife's other appetizer order on their own initiative. We appreciated that and we do plan on returning soon.“

“The noodles for Beef brisket noodles soup and cold noodle soup were fabulous. Mild spicy for the noodle soup was enough spice for a kick without being overwhelming. Beef was very tender. The cold noodles was a favorite. The noodles were chewy and paired with a sesame sauce. The lamb stir fry (not pictured) was ok. Lamb meat was tender but did not expect the greens to be all cilantro.“

“Absolutely delicious. Great service and a wonderful experience for my Husband’s birthday. The many options on the hot pot menu make it impossible to try them all in one meal so we plan to return again soon! A relaxing and fun dining experience!“

“Top Asian food spots for me in San Diego. Prices are cheap and the dishes are so yummy. Get ready to drink lots of water because their spicy dishes can be fire. I love them! I've gotten a few of their dishes to try and you can't go wrong with any of them! Very attentive staff too!“

“This was one of the best meals I ever had. The cumin beef noodles were AMAZING and the cabbage and beef pancakes. The music was good, service was friendly and funny, and overall an amazing experience!! Would definitely come back if I didn’t live out of town“

“Everything here is delicious, especially the Braised Pork. It is so tender and flavorful. It melts in your mouth with the most delicious sauce. The portions are large for families. Theb servers are very friendly and attentive. I visit here every time I come down from Los Angeles.“

“I loved 🥰 best place more more“

“Bomb food 🥘 clean dining area good service“

“The food was really good, and the bartender was super nice and welcoming. Unfortunately, it was really, really hot inside, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the food and the overall vibe. I think the experience would have been so much better if the temperature had been more comfortable. Other than that, I enjoyed the food and appreciated the great service.“

“The Best Ever Chinese Restaurant I Have Ever Been To. My Tita's Loved It So Mucho!!!! 5 star Rating“

“We don’t live locally, but we come to San Diego every once in a while. Because we really like the restaurant next door, Spicy City, so we usually head straight there. But one time, someone in our group said they wanted Cantonese food, so we decided to give Easter Dynasty a try. To our surprise, we completely fell in love with the flavors. The dishes are very distinctive, each one has its own character, and the prices are very reasonable. After that meal, we decided this would also become one of those places we come back to every once in a while.“

“Our waiter, Nick, was excellent! He served us with a big smile and was very attentive throughout our meal. The food was good overall. The only issue was that the broccoli pieces were a little too big and slightly undercooked. Other than that, we had a great experience, and Nick’s wonderful service made it even better!“

“Came here last week with family of four on Friday. Dumplings were great, many varieties.very good soups and seaweed salad. Same quality and taste as Din Tai Fung but much better value and no lines and crowds (yet!)“

“Best sushi in San Diego at reasonable prices! Delicioso!!!“

“The food was delicious. The music and the vibe of the place was amazing. The staff was attentive and on point!“

“Fried chicken was delicious and fried noodles.“

“Ok, my daughter wanted Chinese and we stumbled across the Corner Cafe. What a happy surprise. Not fancy and they do a brisk take out business... But worth dining in. Portions were huge and delicious. Everything is home cooked and amazing. They do wings and were able to do mine gluten free. They were maybe some of the best wings I have ever eaten. Worth it just for that. The pork with Chinese broccoli was also a hig as well as the from scratch hot and sour soup. One of my favorites and out did Din Tai Fung HANDS DOWN. Highly recommend! The owners were awesome too and took the time to make sure our order was perfect“

“For noodle purists and seekers of authentic regional comfort, finding a bowl that truly transports you can be a lifelong pursuit. Having traversed the bustling noodle alleys of Shanghai and sampled celebrated destinations like Magic Noodle in Las Vegas, my standards for handmade noodles are exacting. Yet, nestled right here in the heart of San Diego, Noodle and Bun has effortlessly claimed a spot among the very best in the country.
The Star of the Menu: Spicy Beef Brisket Noodle
The crown jewel of the meal was undoubtedly the Spicy Beef Brisket Noodle paired with house-made knife-cut noodles. The texture of the noodles is a testament to true artisanal craftsmanship—chewy, robust, and possessing that ideal rustic variance that only skilled hand-cutting can achieve.
What truly elevates the dish, however, is the masterclass in spice balance. Too often, stateside Sichuan-inspired noodle houses lean too heavily on Sichuan peppercorns, rendering your palate completely numb after just a few bites. Here, the kitchen demonstrates remarkable restraint and precision: the peppercorn profile is aromatic and vibrant, enhancing the rich, tender beef brisket without overwhelming the senses. It is a masterclass in flavor equilibrium.
A Minor Misstep: The Xiao Bao
No dining experience is entirely without flaw. The Xiao Bao arrived slightly overcooked—likely a casualty of a bustling, high-volume evening service. However, even with the structural compromise from a bit too much time in the heat, the quality of the ingredients could not be masked. The filling tasted undeniably fresh, and each bite remained impressively juicy, hinting at a very capable kitchen even when running under pressure.
Service and Practicalities
* Service: Attentive, welcoming, and efficient. The front-of-house team manages the rush with grace, keeping the energy upbeat.
* Parking: As expected for the vibrant Fourth Avenue corridor in downtown San Diego, parking is a formidable challenge. Be prepared to circle for street parking or utilize nearby paid garages.
The Verdict
Noodle and Bun delivers where it matters most: extraordinary, authentic noodle-making that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with international heavyweights. Minor kitchen hiccups aside, this is an essential destination for anyone who appreciates the soul of hand-crafted pasta.“

“I love this Chin’s Restaurant is a beautifully situated establishment with a cordial and happy staff. The menu offers a comprehensive selection of Chinese cuisine, making it a neighborhood staple for many frequent patrons. Regarding a recent incident where a customer claimed to have found celery in their dish, I know for a fact that the restaurant does not serve celery; perhaps the patron mistook bok choy for celery.“

“Fried garlic pork with steamed rice 😍“

“The best place in San Diego for tasty, authentic dim sum from push-carts!🥰😀“

“My first time going here in September 2025 was so awesome, booked a trip again in November 2025 just to eat here again. Ok, I lied. I did not book the 2nd trip just to eat here but we did eat here twice when we went back to San Diego.

It's that good. Prices are reasonable, portions are amazing! So much food relative to the price. It's very delicious. We got the spicy crispy chicken (forgot what's it called), spicy fried fish, spicy lamb/beef dish with cilantro and dumplings. Everything was so good. I'm from Massachusetts and I thought this was one of the best Sichuan food I've had.

We're planning on going back whenever we're back in town.“

“We called in a take out order for 3 things. French Beef always delicious. Chicken fried rice - left alot to be desired. Roast pork noodle not the quality I expected. On the phone they said 20 minutes I got there and waited another 45 minutes. We have been coming here for the past 2 years the prices were a little high but the food was always amazing. Now I guess we need to find a new spot ... over an hour wait and $80 for take out!!“

“Came here recently with a large group and was very impressed. All the food was delicious and came out very quickly. Excellent dim sum options and dinner dishes. Will come again when I visit again!“

“PRETTY SENSATIONAL ! We had just done a bunch of shopping at Vinh-Hung Supermarket on Saturday and decided that we should have lunch at the Hong Kong BBQ Dim Sum & Kitchen...situated inside the supermarket. You know it didn't look too flash but it was packed out and the food going out to the tables looked pretty good. I asked a female server if we could get a table for 2...and she pointed to the only vacant table in the cafe. WHOO HOO ! I sat at the table watching the activity while my wife took an urgent phone call about her ill mother. A server named Joe came by and I asked for iced waters. THEY CAME OUT FAST ! Joe brought us menus which we checked out in detail. WOW.... there was some neat stuff on their menu. We kicked things off with a SHRIMP DUMPLING Appetizer ( $6.38 ) ! For our mains my wife selected HONEY WALNUT SHRIMP ( $21.95 ) while I chose KUNG PAU SPICY BEEF ( $17.95 ). You know when you try a brand new eatery you never know what to expect but I had been seeing some pretty good looking dishes ferried out to the tables while I waited for my wife. Our Shrimp Dumpling Appetizer arrived in next to no time and tasted SENSATIONAL ! WHAT A GREAT START ! Our mains came out together and the serves were GINORMOUS ! And darn did they look good. My wife went nuts over her Honey Walnut Shrimp....an authentic Chinese dish. I tried it and OMG it tasted beyond delicious ! My Kung Pau Spicy Beef & Rice BLEW ME AWAY ! FLAVOR KICK FLAVOR KICK..get the message. My delicious serve was huge and I actually had the rest for lunch today....still tasted awesome. THIS PLACE DELIVERED WAY BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS !“

“With 10 eateries in this tiny strip mall on a main road, you have a lot of choices. Choose this place. Fast friendly service. Great food at reasonable prices. Large portions. Want it mild? No problem. Like it spicy 🔥 they do that too.“

“Best BBQ Pork and the Lomein is great. Been coming since they opened and never disappointed.“

“Chill, friendly, good food & reasonable price.“

“Good [Original] Good“

“Straight 5🌟 across the board. Today was my first visit to this lovely little restaurant, I'm a trucker by trade so I have been to plenty of restaurants, this is by far one of the best ones I have been to. The atmosphere, both decor and ambient music, is awesome, both are really peaceful and beautiful. The food was fantastic, come hungry or plan on taking home leftovers because you get a TON of food for your money. I had the Lo Mein with the House Special for lunch, I finished it, and I will not be needing to eat dinner there was so much on the plate. The staff is super friendly and they were always there to refill my water with a smile. 10/10 I WILL be dining here again when I am in the area.“

“05/08/2026
-Shrimp w/ Green Pepper in Black Bean Sauce ($24.95) — Tasty sauce and perfectly cooked shrimp, though the onion and green pepper weren't the freshest.
-Deep-Fried Crispy Intestines ($19.95) — crispy and full of flavor!
-Rice ($2.00)

Note: They offer complimentary hot tea, making them one of the few restaurants that still do.

I had a wonderful early Mother’s Day lunch here.

07-04-2025
-BBQ Pork and Roast Duck on Rice $16.95- crispy pork skin, yummy! Roast Duck, mostly were bones

-Beef Stew Wonton Soup $14.95- tender beef and tasty wonton. The soup broth however was not at the desired temperature. It should be hot and not warm

Note:
Cash only“

“I wish I had the time to try each and every dish…what devoured was absolutely amazingly delicious“

“Tasty all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue at The Fire Spot on Convoy Street! So fun, and so tasty. We got the original plan which was $38 per person. We enjoyed the house choice steak, marinated short rib, marinated lamb, miso pork belly, garlic finger meat, and button mushroom. They have Sapporo and other beverages available. Friendly and attentive staff. Recommend!“

“Imperial Express is a staple in the community. I've been going since I was a kid, now in my thirties the food is just as delicious.
Everything is exceptionally tasty. The atmosphere is friendly and always welcoming.

My favorite are the orange chicken, beef and broccoli, Kung pao chicken, Mongolian beef....you can't go wrong with any of their selections.“

“It’s been ages since I last visited this restaurant! A friend raved about their Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs (Guobaorou), so I came back with some friends. The portion of Guobaorou is generous, and it’s truly delicious—crispy and flavorful. We also ordered Jellyfish with Vinegar Dressing. The jellyfish here is quite thick and chunky, not the smooth, silky kind I’m used to, so I wouldn’t recommend it.

Then there’s the Braised Local Chicken in Iron Pot. The picture looked super tempting, so I specifically asked if it came with the steamed rolls (huajuan) shown in the photo. The waiter told me they only have steamed buns (mantou) instead. When it arrived, turns out they’re machine-made frozen buns bought from the supermarket. This dish is a letdown, so I don’t suggest it either.

On the bright side, the Sizzling Pork Kidneys were pretty good! We also wanted to order Peking Duck, but it requires advance reservation—make sure to call ahead if you want to try it.“

“This is place is not only delicious but the two people working there will make you feel like family. Everything I tried was delicious. The salt and pepper wings . The Chinese cabbage. The classic chicken chow main is exactly the flavors I look for. The last dish was one of my favorite. If you like authentic Taiwanese food stop by.“

“What a bargain for lunch! I was in the mood for lo mein and came upon this restaurant in my search in the area.
I didn't know how much their lunch special were until I sat down and looked at their menu. Wow! You cannot beat $11 for lunch these days and the food was served on a huge platter! I almost laughed when the waitress brought it out to the table.

This is a small restaurant with a few small patio tables in front. It was a weekday and it wasn't busy. The cashier/waitress was really friendly and nice. She had a ready smile for everyone who came in.

I wanted shrimp lo mein for lunch but only chicken or pork lo mein were on the lunch menu. I paid $2 more for shrimp and there were a lot in my dish. It was really good.
The side salad was plain and just mainly iceberg lettuce but the egg roll was good.“

“When we entered there wasn’t anyone, and tbh the restaurant’s design looked a little bare… it almost looked like it wasn’t doing well. When the food came, my entire family (with three kids) loved it. We were here for lunch and ordered noodles, and I could just say it’s comfort in my belly. Tho they took our order wrongly and served us an extra bowl of noodle (and we paid for it), we took it bcos we wanted to try something else from the menu.

A senior lady (I suppose she’s the one who cooked the dishes) came out and asked if everything was alright, and even gave us a free bottle of drink. Oh, there was also a small crowd also flowed in during our meal as well.

Would recommend!“

“We ordered their dinner special which runs $20 a person. Comes with 6 portions and your choice of about 10 main dishes.
None of us could finish the entire meal because their portions are SO generous.
The service was outstanding and the food even better. Lots of spices and sauces to add to your meal available at each table.
Will be going back!“

“The best chinese food in San Diego...“

“Best Chinese food I've had in a while. The food is spicy and what great flavor! We had cold noodles and the beef with corn. Portions are huge! Our total bill came to $24.00“